"Mail Pilot" (1933) - Pencil Background Of Landing Area (17 of 20)

As a pilot, I tended to pick up items with an aerospace theme. The 1933 film "Mail Pilot" caught my attention and I ended picking up a number of items from the film. I thought I share the group with you.

Not a tremendous image, but it was free! The concept shows the landing area for Mickey's plane.

Mickey's Landing Area

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From “Mail Pilot” (1933). Overhead view - background concept. Windmill on left and silo on the right. Unusual 2-hole punch on left side. [Unframed Item: 12"W x 8-5/8"H] Acquired 1995. SeqID-0257 8/14/2005

"Mail Pilot" (1933) - Mountain Pencil Background (16 of 20)

As a pilot, I tended to pick up items with an aerospace theme. The 1933 film "Mail Pilot" caught my attention and I ended picking up a number of items from the film. I thought I share the group with you.

A nice sketch of a mountain top for the film. I thought it had a "Matterhorn" look.

Mountain Sketch

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From “Mail Pilot” (1933). Background layout of mountain -- strong peak with shading on right. Unusual 2-hole punch on right side. [Unframed Item: 12"W x 8-5/8"H. Inner: 9-3/16"W x 6-7/8"H] Acquired 1995. SeqID-0256 8/14/2005

"Mail Pilot" (1933) - Pete Waits For Mickey (15 of 20)

As a pilot, I tended to pick up items with an aerospace theme. The 1933 film "Mail Pilot" caught my attention and I ended picking up a number of items from the film. I thought I share the group with you.

Another great image of Pete! Waiting for Mickey with his plane running and parked on the side of the mountain -- like an awaiting motorcycle... Good detail of Pete, the plane and the mountains in the background. I especially like the pencils with strong, dark pencil lines -- they add a certain "!" to the drawing that is often lost in the translation to a cel.

Pete Waits For Mickey

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From “Mail Pilot” (1933). Pete (also known as “Black Pete” & “Peg Leg Pete”) is on top of a mountain, looking over the top -- looking for Mickey. His plane is "parked" to the side of the mountain. 2-hole punch on the left side. [Unframed Item: 12"W x 8.5"H] SeqID-0730 8/3/2005

"Mail Pilot" (1933) - Pete Giving Chase (14 of 20)

As a pilot, I tended to pick up items with an aerospace theme. The 1933 film "Mail Pilot" caught my attention and I ended picking up a number of items from the film. I thought I share the group with you.

If you like villains shown "doing their thing," then this is a great image! Pete is going after Mickey with a super "if looks could kill" mug shot and an equally evil paint job on the plane.

Pete In Pursuit

Generally speaking, propellers tend to be quite large. Early fighter planes had large props and the kind of arrangement on Pete's plane would not have been possible. Front mounted guns actually shot through the spinning propeller. The gun's firing mechanism was linked to the plane's engine and the gun only fired when the prop was out of the way.

By the way, the engine exhaust was out the side of the front engine cowling or below -- not in the rear like a car! I think every depiction of an airplane in the "Mail Pilot" had the exhaust in the rear. Frankly, it looked better when the artist was drawing the puffs of smoke coming from the plane -- difficult to do when the exhaust was on the side of the engine cowling...

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From “Mail Pilot” (1933). Pencil sketch of Pete (also known as “Black Pete” & “Peg Leg Pete”) in his plane shooting the plane's machine gun at Mickey while flying. [Unframed Item: 12"W x 8.5"H. Inner: 9.25"W x 6-7/8"H] SeqID-0254 8/14/2005

"Mail Pilot" (1933) - Pencil of Mickey "Ringing The Bell" (13 of 20)

As a pilot, I tended to pick up items with an aerospace theme. The 1933 film "Mail Pilot" caught my attention and I ended picking up a number of items from the film. I thought I share the group with you.

Another one of those gags. This time, Mickey flies through a church steeple and rings the bell. Nice framing and movement fields.

Mickey Rings The Bell

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From “Mail Pilot” (1933). Mickey flying by with bell tower in background. Several bells and the clock showing 11 o'clock. Plane is leaving frame. Multiple frame drawings. [Unframed Item: 12"W x 8-5/8"H] SeqID-0252 8/14/2005

"Mail Pilot" (1933) - Mickey Gets A New Prop (12 of 20)

As a pilot, I tended to pick up items with an aerospace theme. The 1933 film "Mail Pilot" caught my attention and I ended picking up a number of items from the film. I thought I share the group with you.

This is a really great image and a great gag... Mickey looses his propeller and the airplane heads for the ground. Just before the crash, Mickey runs into a windmill and the windmill blades become his new prop! I seem to recall several other cartoons (other than Disney) that have used this gag in one form or another. In looking at the image again, I'm not sure what Mickey did to replace the missing wings!

Nice doodles on the page!

Mickey And Windmill Gag

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From “Mail Pilot” (1933). Mickey in plane flying out of control. Swooping down with his hands up in the air. Wings are off the plane. Flying buy a wind mill where he uses the windmill to replace his propeller. Unusual 2-hole punch on the left side of the page. 2-hole. [Unframed Item: 12"W x 8-5/8"W] Acquired 1995. SeqID-0255 8/14/2005

"Mail Pilot" (1933) - 32-Inch Pencil Pan Background (11 of 20)

As a pilot, I tended to pick up items with an aerospace theme. The 1933 film "Mail Pilot" caught my attention and I ended picking up a number of items from the film. I thought I share the group with you.

This is another interesting 32-inch pencil background. Sorry about the color -- this was taken with an early digital camera and it is more blue than the typical pencil yellow.

32-Inch Pencil Pan Background

Here are a couple of enlargements of some of the more detailed segments.


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From “Mail Pilot” (1933). A landscape pencil pan (32") for the background of a flight that Mickey takes. Small town on the right. River in center. Multiple pages pasted together. Unusual 2-hole punch on right side. [Unframed Item: 33.25"W x 9"H. Inner: 32-1/8"W x 6-6/8"H] Acquired 1995. SeqID-0253 8/14/2005

"Mail Pilot" (1933) - Outside the Hanger (10 of 20)

As a pilot, I tended to pick up items with an aerospace theme. The 1933 film "Mail Pilot" caught my attention and I ended picking up a number of items from the film. I thought I share the group with you.

A good collection of characters and background filler. Goofoids, pigs, Horace Horsecollar-type figures. I don't remember if this is from his take-off or landing... And I'm not sure if the object in the lower left is a light or a telephone handset...

Crowd Waiving At Mickey

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From “Mail Pilot” (1933). Pencil sketch of pig-like, goat and Goofoid crowd outside hangar waiving after Mickey takes takeoff. Unusual 2-hole punch on right side. [Unframed Item: 12"W x 8-9/16"H. Inner: 9.25"W x 6-7/8"H] Acquired 1995. SeqID-0251 8/14/2005

"Mail Pilot" (1933) - Air Mail Truck (9 of 20)

As a pilot, I tended to pick up items with an aerospace theme. The 1933 film "Mail Pilot" caught my attention and I ended picking up a number of items from the film. I thought I share the group with you.

A nice item showing the stretch to simulate speed. The sight gag of the old style cannon on the top of the truck is a great addition. Given that the rest of the truck is heavily drawn, my guess is that the cannon is a later add-on

Heavily Armed Mail Truck!

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From “Mail Pilot” (1933). Black and red pencil sketch of armored truck with "Air Mail" on the side and numerous guns pointing out. Notes: "5" [Unframed Item: 12"W x 8-9/16"H. Inner: 9-3/16"W x 6-7/8"H] Acquired 1995. SeqID-0250 8/14/2005

"Mail Pilot" (1934) - Goofoid Guards (8 of 20)

As a pilot, I tended to pick up items with an aerospace theme. The 1933 film "Mail Pilot" caught my attention and I ended picking up a number of items from the film. I thought I share the group with you.

I've always liked this pencil. The pencil is heavy and there is a little color. The extra doodles and erasure marks add to the overall draft quality of the item. It's just a great piece!

Goofoid Guards

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From “Mail Pilot” (1933). Colored pencil sketch of three “Goofoid” armed guards with safe. Notes: "SC 7"; "4-3/4F"; "Make this one same as this one"; Numbers around the safe. [Unframed Item: 12”W x 8-9/16”H. Inner: 9-7/8”W x 7-3/8”H] Acquired 1994. SeqID-0249 8/15/2005

"Mail Pilot" (1933) - Airport Sign Pencil Background (7 of 20)

As a pilot, I tended to pick up items with an aerospace theme. The 1933 film "Mail Pilot" caught my attention and I ended picking up a number of items from the film. I thought I share the group with you.

This is a close-up of the sign at the entrance to the airport (also shown in the large pan background). Not one of the more interesting pieces, but since it went with the pan background I thought it would make a nice addition...

"Mail Pilot" (1933) Airport Entrance

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From “Mail Pilot” (1933). A view of the front gate to the airport with a sign saying “Airport.” The same gate seen in the large pan pencil sketch (SeqID-0075), but the title on the sign in the pan says “Air Mail Hanger.” [Image: 12"W x 8-9/16"H; Frame: 21.25"W x 17.75"H; 2-hole] Acquired 1991. SeqID-0159 8/3/2005

"Mail Pilot" (1933) - 48-Inch Pencil Pan Background (6 of 20)

As a pilot, I tended to pick up items with an aerospace theme. The 1933 film "Mail Pilot" caught my attention and I ended picking up a number of items from the film. I thought I share the group with you.

When I first saw this HUGE 48-inch pencil pan background I couldn't put it down. It seemed that every place I looked there was another interesting sketch element. AND there were control towers and other features that showed signs of being erased!

48-Inch Pencil Pan Background

On the right side, a fantastic image of Goofoid characters carrying money bags from the armored car into the hanger.

ENJOY LOOKING THEM OVER!

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From “Mail Pilot” (1933). A very unusual wide pan pencil background of the airfield in Mail Pilot. Note: Shows “Air Mail Hangar” sign and hangar where the armored car drives up and the money is unloaded. Also features "Goofoid" characters that existed before Goofy was developed. [Image: 47-3/8"W x 9"H. Frame: 56.5"W x 18.25"H; several sheets taped to each other with a 2-hole registration page on the right] Acquired 1987. SeqID-0075 7/15/2005

"Mail Pilot" (1933) - Mickey & Pete Pencils (5 of 20)

As a pilot, I tended to pick up items with an aerospace theme. The 1933 film "Mail Pilot" caught my attention and I ended picking up a number of items from the film. I thought I share the group with you.

Mickey Climbs The Mountain While Pete Waits In The Clouds

These were some of the first "Mail Pilot" sheets I picked up. When I looked at them, I thought it might be interesting to frame them together -- with Pete lying in wait for Mickey to emerge over the mountain. I liked the result and had the piece on my office wall for years.

Probably one of the best bits I've seen is in the Pete's sheet where he uses an anchor to keep his plane from flying away while Pete hides in the cloud waiting for Mickey.


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From “Mail Pilot” (1933). Two early pencil sketches. Left: Mickey flying his plane with two frames marking the start and end of a zoom. Right: Pete (also known as “Black Pete” & “Peg Leg Pete”) is hiding in a cloud. [Image: Left: 12"W x 8.5"H, Right: 12"W x 8.5"H: Frame: 33.5"W x 20.5"H; both 2-hole] Acquired 1989. SeqID-0074 8/3/2005

"Mail Pilot" (1933) - Concepts of Mickey & Pete (4 of 20)

As a pilot, I tended to pick up items with an aerospace theme. The 1933 film "Mail Pilot" caught my attention and I ended picking up a number of items from the film. I thought I share the group with you.

This was an interesting mix of images -- almost model sheet images of Mickey & Pete. I liked the rough feel of the characters and the more detailed sketch of Pete in his plane.

Mickey & Pete Concept Sketches

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From “Mail Pilot” (1933). Black and yellow pencil model sheet of Mickey in various poses with his helmet on. Pete's (also known as “Black Pete” & “Peg Leg Pete”) image is in the sheet as well flying his airplane. [Image: 12"W x 8.5"H. Frame: 21.25"W x 18"H; 2-hole] Acquired 1987. SeqID-0073 8/3/2005

"Mail Pilot" (1933) - Mickey and Minnie Pencil & Serigraph (3 of 20)

As a pilot, I tended to pick up items with an aerospace theme. The 1933 film "Mail Pilot" caught my attention and I ended picking up a number of items from the film. I thought I share the group with you.

I featured these two images early in the blog, but they are worth showing again.

I picked up the Mickey & Minnie pencil in 1990. I loved the enthusiastic Mickey, the shy Minnie and the excited "goofoid" figures carrying the airplane's frame. Just a good image. Also notice the notations for the zoom...

Mickey, Minnie & "Goofoid" Pencil

In 1992, I was in the Disney Store in Kansas City and saw the Mickey/Minnie "Mail Pilot" serigraph in the window. I knew I had a similar pencil sketch and thought it might be interesting to have the two of them shown close together. It wasn't until I got home that I realized how close the two images were in the sequence!

Mickey, Minnie & Goofoid Serigraph

Frankly, I'm not sure why Disney didn't use a frame closer to mine for the serigraph. While interesting, I think the pencil I have shows more energy and "fun" than the image Disney chose to immortalize as a serigraph!



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From “Mail Pilot” (1933). Pencil sketch of Mickey and Minnie riding in a plane carried by “Goofoid” characters. Similar pose to 1992 serigraph SeqID-0071 [12”W x 8.5”H; 2-hole] Acquired 1990. SeqID-0072 7/15/2005

From “Mail Pilot” (1933, 1992). Mickey and Minnie sitting in the frame of the plane [SeqID 72]. Being carried by lots of “Goofoid” characters. Similar to pencil sketch. Serigraph, edition size: 2,500. Similar pose to SeqID-0072 [13”W x 10”H] Acquired 1992. SeqID-0071. The title for the film changed over the years: "Mickey Mouse, the Mail Pilot," "The Mail Pilot," "Mail Pilot." There is a black & white reproduction of this sequence (called the "mail must go through" sequence) in the 1934 edition of "Mickey Mouse Movie Stories."

"Mail Pilot" (1933) - Pencil of Hanger (2 of 20)

As a pilot, I tended to pick up items with an aerospace theme. The 1933 film "Mail Pilot" caught my attention and I ended picking up a number of items from the film. I thought I share the group with you.

The "goofoid" figures were an interesting introduction in these early films. Both pigs and goofoid characters showed up as background characters.

I liked this image for its rendering of movement as the mail bags were removed from the airplane.

Pigs & "Goofoid" Characters in Hanger

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From “Mail Pilot” (1933). Pencil layout drawing of activity just outside one of the hangers. Pigs and Goofoid figures working on planes and loading other planes. Note: Signs say “Mail.” [Image: 12"W x 8-5/8"H; 2-hole] Acquired 1993. SeqID-0070 7/15/2005

"Mail Pilot" (1933) - Mickey Landing At Airfield (1 of 20)

As a pilot, I tended to pick up items with an aerospace theme. The 1933 film "Mail Pilot" caught my attention and I ended picking up a number of items from the film. I thought I share the group with you.

"Mail Pilot" (1933) - Two-hole of Mickey Landing

This concept seemed a little "busy," but I liked the rough quality. The "wind sock" in the lower right was a nice bit. Mickey's airplane was roughed in (along with the shadow). The hangers were cluttered and a number of names were written in -- including what appears to be a reference to a tail number.


The pencil is shown in full view so the entire sheet is seen.

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From “Mail Pilot” (1933). A concept pencil background sketch of the airfield while Mickey is landing his mail plane. Note: Signs says "Air Mail" and “Airways.” [12"W x 8.5"H; 2-hole] Acquired 1993. SeqID-0069 7/15/2005

"Magician Mickey" (1937) - Pencil of Mickey and Donald

I thought this was an interesting pencil. It's a large image of Mickey's head, good detail on the gun and it depicts Donald as a twisted-up bullet.

"Magician Mickey" (1937) - Mickey and Twisted Donald

Actually, this is one of the few times I recall seeing a more sinister side of Mickey. I can easily picture Donald in the role of getting ready to shoot someone out of the gun, but not Mickey.

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From “Magician Mickey” (1937). Pencil sketch of Mickey holding Donald. A Mickey Mouse film directed by Dave Hand. [Image: 12”W x 10”H; Frame: 22.5”W x 21”H] Acquired 2004. SeqID-1186 7/27/2005

"Ingeborg Willy Scrapbook" (1936-1937) - Enlargement on the Comic Strip Dept. Steps

As I mentioned earlier, the photographs in the Ingeborg Willy Scrapbook were only 2"x2" or 2"x3" and difficult to see. When scanned at 1200 dpi, you could enlarge them quite a bit.

Here's a photo that was taken on the steps into the Comic Strip Department, located in the Comic Strip Bungalow. The woman's identity is unknown, but you can see Ingeborg Willy's reflection in the window as she looks down in the camera's viewfinder.

Original Photo

Reflection of Ingeborg Willy in Door Glass

"Hidden Mickey" on the Shutters

"Ingeborg Willy Scrapbook" (1936-1937) - Enlargement of the "Comic Strip Bungalow"

As I mentioned earlier, the photographs in the Ingeborg Willy Scrapbook were only 2"x2" or 2"x3" and difficult to see. When scanned at 1200 dpi, you could enlarge them quite a bit.

Here's an enlargement of what Ingeborg Willy described as "The Comic Strip Bungalow." It seems like it was originally a small house that was built on or near the Studio Property.

What struck me was that the image of Mickey Mouse was in the shutters -- certainly not an essential construction element. Whether the idea came from Walt or another staff member, it certainly communicated to me an "organizational culture" that was different than most other companies of the era -- or any other era for that matter. This attention to a different form of "product branding" can certainly be seen today in the form of the "hidden Mickey's" present in the theme parks.

Original Photo of the Comic Bungalow

A "Hidden Mickey"

"Ingeborg Willy Scrapbook" (1936-1937) - Enlargement of Clarence Nash (Donald Duck)

As I mentioned earlier, the photographs in the Ingeborg Willy Scrapbook were only 2"x2" or 2"x3" and difficult to see. When scanned at 1200 dpi, you could enlarge them quite a bit.

This is a photo of Clarence Nash (voice of Donald Duck) at the Studio. There have been a number of Studio photos published lately, and I thought the enlargement of the 2nd story balcony was interesting.

If anyone has an idea of who had the 2nd floor office, I'd like to hear from them.

Full Photo

Clarence Nash and Others
2nd Floor Enlargement - Who's Office?

"Ingeborg Willy Scrapbook" (1936-1937) - Page 5

In 1998, we acquired a scrapbook compiled by Ingeborg Willy during her first year working as an inker at Disney. Earlier this year, I published a book containing the scans of those pages, which was pulled from circulation due to some copyright issues. The book is still under review by Disney. However, there are some items that Willy collected that may not be subject to approval by Disney and I have decided to post some of those items.

Willy didn't put too much information on the pages, so (before the historical record goes cold) any additional information would be most welcome. IF Disney decides to approve the publishing of Ingeborg Willy's scrapbook, I would like to update the edition with anything I learn from these postings (I'd like to give credit, so please provide me with full names). Thanks, and enjoy!

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